DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT THE PLOT TO THIS STORY. EVERYTHING ELSE BELONGS TO JKR.

Reviews:

Vertigo4ever: Thanks for your input. I am glad to see that you agree with the scores. I had to reread that part of the 5th book a few times until I decided what his scores would be. That has been my only obstacle, so far. I was also concerned about who my HBP would be, but I actually have an idea for that. Sorry, but you'll have to wait for that one. Hope you update your story soon!

Misfit Writer: Thanks for the review. I guess I won't let you read it in class anymore, then. Lol. Not like it'll be possible after school lets out next week. Well, I hope you like this chapter.

A/n—thanks to everyone for reviewing. A short recap of chapter 2: Harry is still dreaming of Sirius' death, though it's not as bad as it was. The summer is continuing, and Harry finally receives his O.W.L. scores. He received a total of 13 O.W.L.'s, including potions.

Ok, so here's chapter 3. I hope you guys enjoy it. I'm actually having a good time writing this. I didn't think I would, since I haven't done fanfic yet. Enjoy and review! Thanks.

Chapter 3: A Check Up and an Attack

"I'll see you later, Hedwig." Harry said as his snowy white owl took flight, course set for Grimmauld Place. He had just sent his usual letter to Lupin; everything is fine, Dursley's are fine, talk to you in three days. It was the same every time, and he always got a response telling him to hang in there, they would get him soon. Except last time, that is. Harry didn't receive a response at all. He wasn't worried, though. He knew that they were extremely busy at Headquarters. The thing that bothered him was that someone had always taken the time out to send him a response, no matter how busy they were. It was no big deal; he would get one this time. Hedwig would be back in a few hours with a lengthy response from Lupin.

Harry headed downstairs and out to the backyard. The Dursley's were not home; they had gone to visit Aunt Marge. Ever since the incident three years ago, the Dursley's had refused to let Marge come to the house, not that they had to persuade her; even though her memory had been modified, she didn't want to come anywhere near Harry. Harry didn't mind; he was more than happy to stay home.

Harry sat under a tree in the backyard. It wasn't as hot as it had been last summer, but it was quite humid. Harry let the warm air around him help him relax. He sat there, reminiscing on the past summer, remembering how worried he had been about Voldemort. He had been in the dark all last year and, while he still didn't know a lot, he was better informed this year.

Harry closed his eyes. He was extremely comfortable. Without knowing it, he drifted off to sleep. Unfortunately, the peaceful environment didn't influence his sleep.

He dreamt of the Dementor attack from last year. He saw himself producing his Patronus, and driving them away from his cousin. Harry could feel the frigid air that comes with the Dementors. Harry fought and fought until at last the Dementors finally retreated. In his dream, Harry was really weak. He collapsed beside his cousin. He tried to get up, but he was too weak.

Suddenly someone was shaking him. Harry figured that it was Mrs. Figg. After all, it was she who helped him last year.

Harry opened his eyes and found himself safe in his backyard, not in the alleyway near Mongolia Crescent. There were no Dementors in sight. Harry looked around to see who had shaken him, and was surprised to see Lupin kneeling beside him, relief evident in his eyes. Harry looked past him and saw several other people in the yard, people who included Mad-Eye Moody, Nymphandora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Arthur Weasley, and a few others.

"Harry! Harry, are you ok?" Lupin asked.

"Yeah, why? What's wrong? Has something happened?" Harry asked, looking at everyone.

"Nothing's happened," Moody growled. "It's been over a week since we heard from you, boy. What's been –"

"A week! That's impossible! I sent a letter out four days ago, and I just sent Hedwig out a little while ago. I figured that you guys were too busy to answer back."

"You sent your letters?" Moody asked, both eyes fixed on Harry.

"Yeah, positive."

"How's Hedwig?" Lupin asked.

"She's fine. In fact, she should be back soon."

"She wasn't acting different when she came back?"

"No. You don't think the letters have been intercepted?"

"I really can't say, Harry. If your owl is fine, I would say no. But why haven't we gotten your letters?" Lupin looked at Moody for an answer, but the Auror just shrugged.

"At least we know everything's fine, and that we didn't come here for nothing. Harry, we need you to go and pack." Tonks said.

"You mean I get to go to Headquarters?"

"Yes, but Harry, hurry. And be quiet about it. You know what I mean." Lupin said.

Harry nodded. Yes, he did know what Lupin meant. He tried to clear his mind as best as possible. After everything that happened last year, Harry didn't need Voldemort trying to get into his mind. Some information Voldemort couldn't get anyway – as Harry wasn't Secret-Keeper, Voldemort couldn't find out where the location of the Order of the Phoenix was. Harry hurried up to his room, Mr. Weasley following.

"We've all been so worried about you, Harry," he said. "We were ready to come and get you anyway. We hoped that maybe you had forgotten to write."

"I didn't, I swear."

"I believe you, Harry. Now, we must be quick."

"Are we flying again?" Harry asked as he piled his books into his trunk on top on his neatly folded robes.

"No. It'll take too long, and it's too dangerous. We are going by Floo Powder, but we must stop at the Ministry first."

"Why?"

"A new law. Anyone using the Floo Network must check in at the Ministry. All done? Well, let's go." Mr. Weasley magiced the trunk to float ahead of them, and he lead Harry downstairs. Harry knew everyone must be worried because Mr. Weasley was ignoring all of the Muggle things around him.

"Right, are we ready?" Moody growler. He was pacing around the room, his magical eye revolving everywhere. Kingsley Shacklebolt was getting the Dursley's fireplace ready.

" Emmeline, Hestia, you first," he said. They took a pinch of the powder, threw it in the fire, cried "Ministry Atrium!" and stepped into the flame. They were gone in an instant.

"Arthur, you next with the trunk." Lupin said, standing beside Harry. Mr. Weasley lifted the trunk and shouted "Ministry Atrium!" before walking in. He disappeared, and Harry knew he was next.

"Alright Harry, you ready?" Lupin began, but then he froze. He was staring into the fireplace. The fire had suddenly gone out. Kingsley, Moody, Tonks, and Lupin immediately took out their wands. Harry did the same and was surprised then no one stopped him.

"Just be careful, Harry," Lupin said, gripping his shoulder. Harry nodded. The four members of the order formed a tight circle around Harry. Even though they didn't protest to him trying to fight, Harry knew that they had to protect him at all costs.

"Kingsley, try to get that fire going again," Moody said, "We need to get Harry out of here." Just then, they heard half a dozen popping noises, and 6 Death Eaters Apparated in front of them. Harry gasped.

"They shouldn't be able to get to me here, not unless –" but he stopped, knowing all too well what might've happened in order for them to be here.

"We'll explain everything later. Now we need to get you out of here," Lupin said, and Harry's fear was confirmed.

"Well, well, Potter, so this is where you live," Lucius Malfoy said, sneering. Harry stared back at him, aware that Kingsley was behind him, working furiously to get the fire going again.

"What did you do to my aunt and uncle?" Harry asked.

"Nothing too serious," Malfoy answered. Harry knew he was lying. If it weren't serious, they wouldn't be here now.

"I've almost got it, Harry. Get ready," Kingsley whispered. He turned to Moody, who nodded.

Before anyone could do anything, Malfoy shot a spell at Harry. Harry shouted "Protego" to conjure a shield, but the spell shot right through it, hitting him squarely in the chest. He fell back, and the members of the Order immediately began to duel with the Death Eaters.

"Are you alright?" Kingsley asked.

"Yeah," Harry panted, pain spreading from his chest. He took a pinch of Floo powder, threw it into the fore, said "Ministry Atrium" and walked in. He spun though fires, and moments later began to slow as he reached the Ministry. He fell from the fire and landed on his side. Mr. Weasley was immediately beside him.

"What happened, Harry?" he said urgently.

"Attack…Malfoy…help…" Harry whispered before he finally passed out.

A/n—so here's chapter 3. Did you like it? This will be my last post for a few weeks. I'm finishing my finals at school and I am getting ready to go to Florida in a few weeks. I will be there for 2 weeks, and won't have access to a computer. I'm really sorry about it, but I will still be writing. I promise to post something as soon as I get back.